California Bay Area Voters Show Progressives the Door In Stunning Rebuke [WATCH]

In a dramatic political shakeup, voters in the San Francisco Bay Area decisively ousted multiple local leaders, citing rampant crime, homelessness, and perceived mismanagement as key reasons.

The recalls and election results mark a significant shift in a region long dominated by progressive leadership.

Oakland Mayor Sheng Thao faced a historic recall, with 62% of voters choosing to remove her just two years into her term.

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Critics had accused Thao of mismanagement, failing to address rising crime, and missing key opportunities for the city.

Thao’s administration was marred by an FBI raid on her home, which she claimed was unrelated to her actions as mayor.

In her departure statement, Thao touted what she called a “historic 35% reduction in homicides” under her leadership.

However, data accuracy was questioned following an investigation by the San Francisco Chronicle, which revealed potential discrepancies in Oakland’s crime reporting.

Murders rose 5% in 2023, and many residents felt the reality on the streets didn’t align with the administration’s claims.

Thao also faced criticism for losing a $15 million state grant aimed at combating retail theft and for her handling of the Oakland A’s departure to Las Vegas.

The baseball team’s exit left a sour note for many residents, as no deal was reached to replace the deteriorating Oakland Coliseum.

Alameda County District Attorney Pamela Price was recalled with 64% of voters demanding her removal.

Price’s policies, including reduced charges for violent offenders and efforts to cut back on sentence enhancements, were widely criticized as contributing to public safety concerns.

Patricia Harris, whose son was killed in Oakland in 2021, criticized Price’s approach after her son’s killer received a reduced sentence of manslaughter with time served. “She looked out for perpetrators versus the victims. It’s like we were the enemy,” Harris said.

Price, however, has refused to concede, claiming the recall effort was driven by “merchants of fear” and vowing to remain in office until the election results are certified on Dec. 5.

Across the bay, San Francisco Mayor London Breed lost her re-election bid to Daniel Lurie, a Levi Strauss heir and fellow Democrat.

Lurie campaigned on promises to clean up San Francisco’s streets, which have become a focal point of national attention due to homelessness and open-air drug use.

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In what appears to be a stunning upset, Levi Strauss heir Daniel Lurie – a man with no political experience – holds the lead in the San Francisco mayoral race after Tuesday’s election, and incumbent London Breed has offered a… pic.twitter.com/S2XjikSd91

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The political upheaval in the Bay Area signals growing dissatisfaction with progressive policies.

Statewide, voters passed Proposition 36, a measure to strengthen penalties for drug crimes and shoplifting.

President-elect Donald Trump also gained ground in traditionally Democratic strongholds, performing 3.5 points better in Alameda County and 5 points better in San Francisco County compared to 2020.

Carl Chan, an activist who led the campaign to recall Price, emphasized the shift in public sentiment. “Voters have decided it’s time to have a change,” Chan said. “They want someone who can truly perform their job and not make it about implementing the ideology.”

Residents expressed cautious optimism about the recalls and election results. “I’m starting to sense kind of like energy of hope, that we can rebuild the community,” Chan added. “Everyone’s happy, with a smile on their face. That’s something I haven’t seen for a long, long, long, long time.”

Thao and Price are expected to leave office by Dec. 5, but their critics remain vigilant about potential actions in their remaining days.

For many in Oakland and beyond, the leadership changes represent a long-overdue reckoning and an opportunity to restore safety and order to the Bay Area.

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